These patriotic sippers will make you raise a glass to the good old red, white, and blue. There’s a patriotic drink to suit every occasion, whether you’re throwing a backyard BBQ for your friends or shooting fireworks at the block party. You can try a boozy take on the Firecracker popsicle, a low-ABV aperitivo, or a red wine-based sipper. These cocktails are a great way to celebrate any occasion.
Firecracker
Without watermelon, a Fourth of July would be like Thanksgiving without turkey. It is at its peak in July, and its refreshing sweetness makes it a great counter to the heat. This sweet treat is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. This Watermelon Margarita is a twist on the classic Margarita. It uses aged rum instead of regular tequila, watermelon, triple sec and lime juice. Finally, the cocktail is finished with heat and a dash of cayenne pepper.
Boozy Root Beer Flake
A root beer float is American. What about a root beer-infused root beer float? This boozy version of the childhood favourite is perfect for summer heat and makes a great Fourth of July treat. The recipe is easy to follow. Add vanilla ice cream to a glass and then stir in a bit of rum. You can pour chilled root beer (we recommend A&W or Dad’s Root Beer) over the mixture and stir it briefly. Finally, enjoy the drink with a straw.
Watermelon Mojito
Although the Mojito recipe is great, it’s also a great template to experiment with. You can create delicious new drinks by adding different syrups, lengtheners and fruits. This riff gives you a refreshing, sweet version of the drink without soda water.
Stars & Stripes
This fruity, layered cocktail pays homage to the holiday colours. The drink is infused with muddled blueberries, which give it a blue hue. A drizzle of raspberry brandy gives it a red hue. The sugar cube garnish adds a white and sweet touch to the drink.
Mayan Michelada
You may have six packs of beer that you want to open to celebrate the holiday. Save a few for this spicy drink. Mexican lager is flavoured with mezcal and hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Maggi seasoning, and lime juice. Mix everything, and pour into a chipotle salt-rimmed cup with a lime wedge. Please make sure you also serve the remaining beer so that everyone can enjoy the beverage as they sip.
Bourbon Strawberry Iced Tea
This recipe is a celebration of American nostalgia. It takes iced tea and adds summer flavours to create a Fourth of July drink that you will want to enjoy all year. The combination of strawberry, lemon, and Bourbon is tall and cool. It’s boozy enough not to overpower unsweetened tea. To make it truly festive, garnish with a mint sprig and a strawberry-and-blueberry skewer.
La Estrella
Phil Ward, a star bartender, created this recipe. It involves mixing watermelon with sugar, a splash of club soda and then stirring it with aged rum and lime juice. Finally, add more club soda. Add a garnish of skewered strawberry and pineapple. This sweet, spicy and refreshing combination will leave you starry-eyed long after the fireworks display ends.